Ntl Pancake Day/Intl Women's Day!

March 8th...a big day.  Today is International Women's Day and National Pancake Day.  Hmmm...I'm not going to draw any linkages.  Largely because I don't really think there are any.  But it got me thinking about the efficacy of having "days".

Now when it comes to pancakes, I think we can all agree that it's pretty harmless.  Oh, I guess the No Carb Nazis or the Gluten Free Maniacs could decry the day.  I mean, while eating pancakes is definitely not healthy (although you are getting fruit if they have blueberries in them) and normally aren't on any diet I'm aware of, they are pretty yummy.  Especially with real butter and thick syrup.  So you can make the case that eating an occasional pancake isn't necessarily harmful but isn't something you'd want to do every day.  And then I hear of this story.  It seems that IHOP uses today to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network and Shriner's Hospital.  In fact, they invented the day for just that reason.  If you went into an IHOP today you got a free short stack of pancakes and they asked for a donation.  Last year they raised $3.5 million!  Not bad.  Not bad at all.  This is something I can get behind.  Too late for me today, but next year watch out!

And coincidentally today is International Women's Day.  Interesting.  I'm all for empowering women.  And I'm all for lifting up all those discriminated against in many, many non-enlightened countries around the world. And I'm all for raising people up.  Give them a hand up.  Make sure all are treated equal.  Take action to protect women when they suffer the unspeakable atrocities that we hear about in other cultures.  Of course, we (the U.S. and other western countries) don't seem interested or able to do that.  We've lost our way when it comes to protecting those who need it.  Since we don't have a "national interest", we do nothing.  Sort of like this...

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.  Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Trade Unionist.  Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Jew.  Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me." 

But in the U.S. it just seems to me like another reason to divide us.  The political class, the intelligentsia, academia, the media...they all like to do that.  Put people in buckets and get them to identify with a particular group.  Say one group is better, or in greater need, or disadvantaged, or more entitled, or discriminated against, or whatever.  I know, I know.  Women don't make as much.  Women can't make it for whatever reason.  I'm sorry.  That's just not my experience.  From where I sit in almost all walks of life that I see women are valued, treated equally, and certainly have an equal footing in almost everything.  It's said that women don't earn as much.  Once again, not my experience.  It's said that women are disadvantaged in job selection.  Once again, not my experience.  But I'm willing to admit that that isn't the case everywhere and in some locales, different economic stratum, different geographic locations, etc there are issues.  So let's just do this.  Let's each of us try to treat everyone equally.  Like we're all Americans.  Like we like each other.  While we're doing that let's not lose our sense of humor or proportionality.

If you've been reading you know that I have several granddaughters.  From my view they have every opportunity that their male counterparts have.  I'm optimistic that they will see that as they grow up and will step up to bearing the responsibility of being a free person in the greatest country in the world.  It's not always easy.  But it should be fair.

You also probably know that I'm a retired Naval Aviator.  Women didn't get integrated into the military until the waning years of my service.  I won't lie.  There were difficulties and growing pains.  But today we're better off for it.  Today, all jobs are open and if they are capable and qualified, women can do anything.  Witness this...